SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

1

: an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code ‧ ‧ ‧ - - - ‧ ‧ ‧ used especially by ships calling for help

2

: a call or request for help or rescue

Examples of SOS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Coconut Creek Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, 5550 NW 40th St., will start its Independence Celebration early with an event that benefits SOS Children’s Villages Florida. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025

Clean enough to make Gwyneth Paltrow weep and somehow still actually effective, the SOS (Save Our Skin) Sunscreen, from Tower 28, applies smoothly. —Air Mail, 28 June 2025

Inside, passengers will find a plush cabin with four seats, large grab handles, faux-wood flooring, and visible Start/Stop, Support, and SOS buttons. —Utkarsh Sood june 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025

So far, the coalition has launched programs such as SOS (for kids’ online safety), Teenspace, and Wellness at Work. Vision, Vulnerability, and Lessons Learned With so many initiatives and his responsibilities, how does Kenneth Cole see leadership? —Xian Horn, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for SOS

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

Kids Definition

SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

ˌes-ə-ˈwes

1

: an international radio code distress signal used by ships and aircraft calling for help

2

: a call for help

Medical Definition

SOS

abbreviation

if occasion require; if necessary

—used in writing prescriptions

Etymology

Latin si opus sit